I want to start today’s post with a little exercise. Close your eyes and imagine yourself 5 years from now. If money wasn’t an issue… where would you be? What does your dream future look like?
Give yourself a few minutes to escape the realities of today’s “struggles” and dream a little.
Write down some things you imagined. Maybe you’ll have a larger home. Perhaps you’ll have a storefront business location. Perhaps you’ll make $1 Million in your business. There is no limit to what you dream.
Now let’s bring it back to reality, and let me ask you this. What are you doing now to obtain the place you want to be?
Asking myself that question helped me realized that being stagnant was not an option. Doing the work is no longer optional.
I remember 4 years ago, before I even thought about a business, I would randomly open my journal and write down the same “dream life” over and over again.
Be Outside.
Travel Often.
Not behind a traditional desk all day.
Have my own time.
I would open my journal every few months and write this down. In those difficult moments at my then job, I would open my journal and rewrite those 4 statements instead of quitting.
Dreaming about where I could be one day helped me realize that where I was, wasn’t the stopping place. There was still work to be done.
But what work? How do I get to the “next” place?
One day I asked God out of desperation, “WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW TO GET THERE?” I was tired of writing down my dreams but still doing the same things over and over again. Clearly, what I was doing was not leading to my dream life.
And as soon as I asked, I had the idea to begin my business. (Sometimes, all we have to do is pray and ask God, he will provide the solution!)
Starting my business did not immediately get me to the life I dreamed of, but it was the vehicle that allowed me to finally start my journey.
Between starting my business and getting to where I am now, it took me not to give up on my dream.
Dreaming pushes you to act. It forces you to show up for yourself. When you have a dream for yourself, it makes the work meaningful.
You’re no longer working because you’re supposed to. You’re now putting in the work because you’re willing to do what it takes to get to where you want to be.
So, when you feel yourself getting stagnant again. Dream.
Where do you want to be?
What do you need to do to get there?
Now, let’s work!
So, what about when you “make it”?
I’m learning now that with every achievement, there is a new level God wants to take you on.
The truth is, I achieved my “dream life” a couple of years ago.
I can go outside as I please.
I travel when I want.
I don’t sit behind a traditional desk.
I have my own time.
But have I “made it”? According to my previous dream life, sure. According to God’s plan for my life, no.
Dreaming has become a part of my regular business/life/spiritual routine. When I hit my goals, it’s time for a new dream.
Some of you are “stuck” at the place you once dreamed of. You’re satisfied, but you’re bored. You achieved your 5-year goal years ago, but there is more!
There are new heights with your name on them.
Do you know what that means? It’s time to dream again.